by David Leon Moore, USA TODAY Sports

by David Leon Moore, USA TODAY Sports

LOS ANGELES - USC coach Steve Sarkisian, a day after indefinitely suspending cornerback and team captain Josh Shaw, said Thursday that Shaw still hasn't explained how he was injured but noted that the senior could ultimately be reinstated to the team.

Sarkisian also took responsibility for approving the bogus article published by USC's athletics web site that detailed Shaw's story about spraining both ankles while rescuing a potentially drowning 7-year-old nephew from a pool.

When asked whether he would consider bringing Shaw back to the team, Sarkisian said, "Potentially, sure. Potentially, sure."

The suspension is being described as indefinite, Sarkisian said, because the situation is still playing out, and "I don't think it would be fair to put a time frame on it."

On Wednesday, two days after the publication of the original story, Shaw admitted to making it up, releasing a statement through his attorney, Donald Etra.

Sarkisian told reporters that he does not have any additional information on how the injury occurred.

"He didn't tell us, and we weren't really privy to ask," Sarkisian said. "When he actually admitted to us he was lying he was in the presence in the presence of his attorney, so that's really a better question for his attorney."

Etra told USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday that Shaw fell from a balcony on Saturday in Los Angeles.

"There is no criminal aspect to this whatsoever," Etra said.

When asked if alcohol was a factor, Etra said that there was none involved and that his client does not drink.

As for the story of heroics released on the USC athletics web site, Sarkisian apologized and took the blame.

"We regret the fact that we released that article," he said. "It has as much to do with me as anyone else. Moving forward we'll have to be a little more patient."

But, he noted: "I felt like the last thing we needed was Shaw rolling around in a wheel chair and everyone asking what happened."

Sarkisian reiterated that officials largely believed the story because of Shaw's character.

"Obviously we thought very highly of him," Sarkisian said of Shaw, who was elected a team captain on Saturday. "He spoke at our commencement last spring. ... So when he came to us with this story i didn't have a reason to disbelieve him.

"I feel bad we weren't able to address it sooner."

As far as football is concerned - the No. 15 Trojans host Fresno State on Saturday - Sarkisian says, "We really try to keep things separated. If it's about football it's about football."

" ... We have some veteran guys who have been through a lot here and have retained the ability to focus. That's a great message to our younger players."

The Trojans will lose significant experience in the defensive backfield without Shaw, who had 4 interceptions last season and was an All-Pac-12 honorable mention.

"It makes us younger ... we go from playing a fifth-year senior to maybe playing a freshman," Sarkisian said. "I still think we're talented back there."

Sarkisian also discounted any potential damage to USC's reputation.

"This university is a prestigious one and a proud one and deservedly so," he said. "We do everything every day on the practice field or in the community and in the classroom to represent the university with the highest of character and integrity and will continue to do that."

As for Shaw, Sarkisian said he has to take care of his health and take care of himself.

"It's disappointing, but we always to continue to support Josh," Sarkisian said. "He's a Trojan. He made a mistake, like kids made. But we need to be here for him and help him get better."

" ... When the time is right, if the time is right, we will take him back."